Starmer and Xi call for deeper UK-China ties as Trump shakes up global
relations
[January 29, 2026] By
KEN MORITSUGU and JILL LAWLESS
BEIJING (AP) — The leaders of Britain and China called Thursday for a
"strategic partnership” to deepen ties between their nations at a time
of growing global turbulence as they sought to thaw relations after
years of chill.
Neither Prime Minister Keir Starmer nor President Xi Jinping publicly
mentioned Donald Trump, but the U.S. president's challenge to the
post-Cold War order was clearly on their minds.
“I think that working together on issues like climate change, global
stability during challenging times for the world is precisely what we
should be doing as we build this relationship in the way that I’ve
described,” Starmer told Xi at the start of their meeting in Beijing.
The two met for 80 minutes — double the scheduled time — in the Great
Hall of the People as their nations try to improve ties after several
years of acrimony. Relations have deteriorated over allegations of
Chinese spying in Britain, China’s support for Russia in Moscow's war on
Ukraine and the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong, the former British
colony that was returned to China in 1997.
Starmer is the first British prime minister to visit in eight years. His
trip, which ends on Saturday, has yielded a raft of business
announcements and government agreements, including a deal allowing U.K.
tourists and business visitors visa-free stays in China for up to 30
days.
Xi said that “China-U.K. relations experienced twists and turns in
previous years, which was not in the interests of either country.”
“In the current turbulent and ever-changing international situation ...
China and the U.K. need to strengthen dialogue and cooperation to
maintain world peace and stability," he said.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said Xi had stressed, without mentioning
the U.S. directly, that “major powers” must adhere to international law
or the world would regress into a “jungle.”
Relationship is in ‘a good place’
Starmer’s Downing Street office said Britain wanted “a consistent,
long-term, and strategic partnership that will benefit both countries.”
After the meeting, Starmer said the leaders had made “really good
progress” on issues including slashing Chinese tariffs on Scotch whisky
and introducing visa-free travel for British visitors.
“The relationship is in a good place, a strong place,” the British
leader said.
Xi appeared to acknowledge the criticism that Starmer has faced for
reaching out to China despite national security and human rights
concerns. The United Kingdom recently approved controversial plans for a
huge Chinese Embassy in London, removing a sticking point in relations
but also overriding fears that the “mega-embassy” would make it easier
for China to conduct espionage and intimidate dissidents.
“Good things often come with difficulties,” Xi said. “As long as it is
the right thing to do in accordance with the fundamental interests of
the country and its people, leaders will not shy away from difficulties
and will forge ahead bravely.”
Starmer’s visit comes less than two months after a Hong Kong court
convicted Jimmy Lai, a former newspaper publisher and British citizen,
under a national security law that Beijing imposed on the territory
after massive pro-democracy protests in 2019.
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Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, shakes hands with
Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of a bilateral meeting in
Beijing, China, Thursday, Jan.29, 2026. (Carl Court/Pool Photo via
AP)
Starmer said he raised human rights issues with Xi and the two men had a
“respectful discussion.”
Starmer, who was elected in July 2024, has said he will protect national
security while keeping up diplomatic dialogue and economic cooperation
with China. He told Xi that it has “been far too long” since a U.K.
prime minister visited.
“I made a promise 18 months ago when we were elected into government,
that I would make Britain face outward again,” the leader of the
center-left Labour Party said. “Because as we all know, events abroad
affect everything that happens back in our home countries, from prices
on the supermarket shelves to how secure we feel.”
Starmer's government has struggled to deliver the economic growth it
promised and ease a cost-of-living crisis for millions of households and
he sees China as a potential source of growth.
More than 50 U.K. business executives have joined him on the trip, along
with the leaders of major cultural organizations, as he seeks to expand
opportunities for British companies in China and secure Chinese
investment in the U.K.
Among the business deals announced on the trip was a $15 billion
investment in China through 2030 by drugmaker AstraZeneca.
Britain is also keen to get more access to the vast Chinese market for
U.K. professional and financial services. The two countries agreed to
conduct a “feasibility study” as a first step before negotiating a
services agreement..
Trump tariffs spur new trade talks
The disruption to global trade under Trump has made expanding trade and
investment more imperative for many governments. Vietnam and the
European Union upgraded ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership on
Thursday, two days after the EU and India announced a free trade
agreement.
“At a moment when the international rules-based order is under threat
from multiple sides, we need to stand side by side as reliable and
predictable partners,” European Council President Antonio Costa said in
Hanoi, Vietnam.
Starmer is the fourth leader of a U.S. ally to visit Beijing this month,
following those of South Korea, Canada and Finland. The German
chancellor is expected to visit next month.
The U.K. leader also met Thursday with Zhao Leji, the chairman of
China's legislature, the National People's Congress, and Premier Li
Qiang, who told Starmer his efforts to improve relations had been
“widely welcomed” in both countries.
Starmer told the U.K.-China Business Council he was seeking "a more
sophisticated relationship fit for these times.”
“I would like to echo a Chinese phrase, which I think captures the
essence of what I’m talking about: pursue common goals whilst reserving
differences," he said. "That’s what we are working together to achieve.”
___
Lawless reported from London.
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